... but God is gracious and merciful, and He offers second, third, fourth - and ZILLIONTH! - chances! I am very greatful for that.
My last "proper" resolution post was back on the 19th, and we were in Genesis - but as of today, we've finished Genesis and have read all the way up to Exodus 11 and 12 for today. The last Psalm I mentioned was the 9th, and now we're pondering Psalm 18:1-12. Proverbs 3 is complete, and today's selection is Proverb 6:1-5. Fortunately, we're not yet out of Matthew, but I'd stopped posting (BAD Kat!) back in chapter 13, and I'm reading Matthew 20:17-34 today. Matthew's account is getting closer and closer to the Cross, and I really need to start focusing again.
I apologize for my laziness to anyone who's been coming by and checking for these Biblical meditations.
Now, I'm going to go read my selections, and I'll update this post with my thoughts for today when I'm done. So... Be right back!
UPDATE: OK, so I wasn't right back... ;-)
The passage in Exodus which we are reading today deals with the final plague on Egypt: the death of the Firstborn. This is one of the plagues which had the possibility of affecting the Israelites, and so in verses 12 and 13, God tells them:
For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
The blood of the Passover Lamb painted on the door posts and the lintel: a foreshadowing of the Blood that would be shed on the Cross as the true sacrifice for sin. As it says in Hebrews,
But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
...But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Each of the sacrifices and ceremonies Israel celebrated pointed forward to her Messiah, the Chosen One. Jesus was the one Perfect Man, who fulfilled the Law of God on our behalf, and then offered Himself up as a sacrifice to pay for our sins.
Now, look at this interesting verse later in Exodus 12:
And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it.
Ah-hah! This blessing - this protection and mercy - is offered only to God's chosen people... But God gives a way for even the stranger to come in to the family. Even today, on this side of the Cross, God shows us His gracious welcome to all who come:
Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Even when we were enemies of God, God made a way:
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. [emph. added]
Isn't it amazing how God is so forgiving and gracious? All the sin we have, and all our rebellion against God can be forgiven and wiped away, if only we will come to Him as He commands. If we will only take Him at His Word and trust Him with all our mind, heart and soul, He will welcome us into His family, and all of Heaven will rejoice that another lost sheep has been redeemed from the pit of Hell and come home.
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